Commodities Market Impact Weather: Snow and Ice in Midwest

  OMAHA - A snow and ice storm for the Midwest and mostly favorable trends in South America are the

primary weather items for the commodity trade's attention Friday.

MIDWEST SNOW AND ICE STORM

  The DTN ag weather forecast calls for extreme cold in the Midwest to greatly increase usage of

natural gas for heating during the next five to six days. Somewhat less cold weather is possible

after that. A major snow and ice event is shaping up for the southern and eastern Midwest and the

northern Delta region for the weekend. This likely will disrupt travel and transportation for these

locations. Somewhat less snow is expected in Iowa, especially northern Iowa, with this system. It

does not appear cold enough to harm soft red winter wheat in areas that do not have a protective

snow cover.

LIGHT SOUTHERN PLAINS WEEKEND MOISTURE

  Southern Plains wheat areas will see scattered light to locally moderate precipitation during this

weekend, which will favor dormant winter wheat. The upcoming storm system is expected to generate

only minor concerns for livestock areas of the western Plains.

SCATTERED BRAZIL ROW-CROP AREA SHOWERS

  Across Brazil's row-crop areas, periodic scattered showers and seasonal temperatures will favor

filling crops and early-developing second crop corn. Local delays continue for harvesting the early

crops and planting the second crop corn due to showers. The pattern does not look as wet during the

coming days, which should allow for some improvement, except in areas affected by local

thundershowers.

WEEKEND SHOWERS IN BRAZIL COFFEE AREAS

  A cold front moves into the main Brazil coffee and sugar cane areas Friday and drifts through the

north and east areas during the weekend. This should lead to light to moderate showers which will

help ease stress to developing crops. Somewhat drier and hotter weather may redevelop early next

week. The next chance for scattered showers appears to be late in the week.

DRY AND WARM IN ARGENTINA

  Central Argentina will have mostly dry weather with a warming trend during the six-day period.

This will favor developing crops, after recent heavy rains. A possible exception to this is over

eastern Buenos Aires where a few thunderstorms may develop.

FAVORABLE CHINA SOIL MOISTURE

  Moderate to locally heavy snow and rain has occurred through central and southern winter wheat

areas of eastern China and through most winter rapeseed areas during February. This will help to

replenish soil moisture and it will favor crops when they break dormancy in the spring. Snow to the

north was not as heavy, but still fairly significant for this time of the year. Snow and ice, and to

a lesser extent rain, will delay transportation somewhat. The weather pattern currently favors

additional chances for snow or rain through the Yangtze River valley and the southern part of the

North China Plain.

WEEKEND RAINFALL FOR SOUTH AFRICA

  Across South Africa, warm to hot weather Friday will be followed by scattered showers and

thundershowers during the weekend and early next week. This is mostly a favorable weather pattern

for filling maize and developing sugarcane.